Solitary, Steep, and Self-Powered
Martin Sieberer’s 23-Hour Dream Between Two Alpine Giants
Sometimes, a vision creeps quietly into a climber's mind and simply refuses to let go. For Austrian alpinist Martin Sieberer, that vision centered around two granite faces that have shaped his climbing journey for years: the striking Fußstein in his homeland and the majestic Pizzo Badile. His concept was as bold as it was simple: connect both ridges directly—no motors, no external help, completely solo, and by fair means.
Success was no accident. As preparation, Martin had already completed a grueling 13-hour trial run: pedaling from Innsbruck to the north ridge of the Grundschartner, soloing the 700-meter route (grade VI), and cycling straight back. After that, he knew the fitness was there.
In the end, the clock stopped at exactly 23 hours and 23 minutes as he brought his passion project, "Ridge2Ridge," to a successful close.
The Heat on the Home Mountain
His adventure began early in the afternoon at the Geraer Hütte. Martin deliberately chose the scorching midday heat to enter the Fußstein North Face, aiming to avoid the crowds and experience the wall in complete solitude. The Fußstein is his home mountain—the place where his summer adventures first began.
14 pitches over 550 vertical meters with difficulties up to V/V+ demanded total focus on the smooth slabs. By 3:00 PM, he reached the summit. There was little time to catch a breath: after taking a few quick photos as proof, he immediately started the descent, knowing the biggest test of endurance was still ahead.
13 Hours of Solitude in the Saddle
Around 6:00 PM, Martin swapped rock for his bike. What followed were 13 endless night hours on his gravel bike. Crossing Austria, passing closed gas stations, and pushing over Swiss passes toward Val Bregaglia—273 kilometers and nearly 2,900 meters of elevation gain while the world slept around him.
He was joined on this long stretch by his friend Max Dräger, who also pedaled the distance and documented the journey. As his legs burned in the dead of night and fatigue hit hard, Max’s presence provided invaluable support.
The Final Battle on the Pizzo Badile
Shortly after 7:30 AM, the duo reached Bondo. Martin’s body bore the heavy toll of a sleepless night, yet the imposing North Ridge of the Pizzo Badile loomed ahead: roughly 800 vertical meters of granite graded V+.
With every step and every movement on the rock, the exhaustion was palpable. On one of the hottest days of the year, the granite seemed to radiate intense heat. Yet Martin’s determination proved stronger than the strain. For him, it was never about sensationalism, but about leaving an honest, clean line:
"I wanted to leave my mark without leaving a physical trace on the rock. Just as I always make sure to bring all my equipment back home with me after my climbs and descents, I wanted to keep the connection between the two mountains as clean as possible, without external support and using only my gravel bike to get around."
The Moment of Arrival
At precisely 12:23 PM, the moment arrived: Martin’s hands touched the summit cross of the Pizzo Badile. Behind him lay 6,700 meters of total elevation gain and a massive mental feat.
No cheering crowds awaited him at the top, but rather something far more valuable: the summit all to himself, an open view stretching across Val Masino, and the quiet satisfaction of staying true to a personal vision. The ultimate reward after such a effort? Soaking in the summit bliss—and enjoying a well-earned pizza with his friends shortly after.
